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Research project

The Future of Forensic Bioinformation

Start date: 1 September 2008

End date: 31 December 2009

This project will critically examine current patterns of forensic bioinformation utilisation within the justice system. It will assess the recent trajectory of forensic science policy. The project will use the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on forensic bioinformation as the stimulus for further research and expert deliberation.

There is a lack of robust evidence and critical assessment of the benefits and costs of rapidly increasing expenditure in this area. This prevents informed decision-making and the prioritising of investment in forensic bioinformation within the legal system domestically and trans-nationally.

Data collection will inform a series of expert meetings to examine what is known about forensic processes within the justice system, and the operation and governance of forensic bioinformation databases.

The aim of the project is to produce concrete proposals informed by operational and policy viewpoints, resulting in a 'handbook of internationally valid good practice' for use by policy makers, legislators, forensic scientists, police staff and prosecutors.